Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Resortwear business owner, Anita McLachlan knows that every woman can look fabulous while she enjoys her summer and is passionate about making it happen.Women today lead very hectic and ever changing lives, tirelessly juggling work and/or family commitments. As they do, many lose their instinct for what looks good on, their sense of self, lost in the mix.

Australia, surf and sand go hand in hand, but with that, emerges additional pressures for many women - an uneasiness about how they will look on the beach or poolside.

Astonished with the lack of stylish beachwear options for women who have outgrown surf shops and simply not interested in ‘frump’, Anita, together with business partner Pip, decided to bridge the gap and make it easy for busy women get their stunning summer essentials together.

Drawing on her extensive project management experience in property development and IT, understanding of colour and design and love of fashion, Anita has successfully brought her idea to life and today inspires and helps busy women quickly get organised and look fabulous whilst on summer holiday and beyond. As a mother of two gorgeous children, she understands the challenges of making time for herself and juggling family and business.

Sequins & Sand is an online resort wear boutique where it’s summer every day of the year, and busy women can shop with confidence, whenever they get a moment’s peace.

Recognising that some women may need more help than others, Anita’s Sequins & Sand goes that extra mile and shows women how to effortlessly create stunning beach to bar looks and offers a raft of packing and summer style tips, to make a great summer, perfect.

Anita can often be found conducting workshops and writing about her passion in various articles and blogs online. Every chance she gets, she’s at the beach, with her family.

At Cackleberry Kids we were so honoured to have worked with Anita on some exciting workshops at the Cackleberry Kids & Friends store where we are able to talk with women about different styles of clothing, shapes that suit different body shapes and in the process help everyone feel good about themselves.

Anita offers a service that is not only unique but is also empowering, not to mention the stunning clothing she has in her store - Sequins and Sand should definitely been on your online shopping list!

Thank you Anita for your wonderful support and allowing us a peak into your fantastic business!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

We found a great recipe in an older Donna Hay magazine last weekend that we have just fallen in love with at our house.

We've now made these puddings for the last two weeks in a row and I think that our Little Man and his Daddy like licking the bowl and spoon more than actually eating the pudding!

This is a photo of our attempt next to the cook book photo, mind you - we hadn't cooked ours at this stage... Happy to report though, they did work out - so happy dancing was done around our kitchen!

Here is the recipe:

150g dark chocolate

100g unsalted butter

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup caster sugar

2 tablespoons plain flour, sifted

Thick (double) cream to serve

NB.. we use 4 tablespoons of cornflour in our recipe as my Husband is wheat free - and it still works wonderfully well.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (C) Place the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over a low heat and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.Place the eggs, yolks and sugar in bowl and whisk until pale. Gently fold in the flour and chocolate mix. Then spoon into lightly greased 1-cup capacity ovenproof dishes.Bake for 12-15mins or until the puddings are puffed. Top with cream and serve.

Here's all you have to do to go into the draw - it's easy and you have 3 ways in which you can win!

1. Come into the store and spend a minimum of $50 AUD and your name goes into the draw. 2. Bring a friend into the store, spend a minimum of $50 AUD and your name goes into the draw.3. Purchase from the Cackleberry Kids range on line and spend a minimum of $50 AUD and your name goes into the draw! http://www.cackleberrykids.com/

The Competition closes on the 20th of August and the winner will be announced on the 21st.

Good Luck and we look forward to seeing you soon,The Cackleberry Kids xx

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Every child is unique and beautiful in many different ways. Kate and Jacqui design bold stunning styles to reflect and enhance the beauty of all children in this world.We began this journey because we believed that we could bring something new and unique to fashion for children and babies. If you have ever heard the saying "We do not own the Earth, we merely borrow it from our children" you will understand what Three Little Trees is all about.

With every garment there are native seeds according to the country the garments are sold in attached to each swing tag. The idea here is that children from all over the earth; while looking stylish, can plant these little seeds and watch our world grow with them.

This tiny little thing that we can teach our children to do will sustain our earth for their children and grandchildren for many years to come. Educating our children on sustainability is of great importance to the ethos of Three Little Trees.

This winter we have collaborated with talented UK illustrator Sandra Isaksson of ISAK. Which has brought a whole new creative angle to our designs. We love the illustrations Sandra has created and hope that she stays on board for the long run!

All three of us are mums and we know what is practical and what works in the daily activities of little ones. We have gone to a great deal of effort to create sensible stylish ranges, and we hope you all enjoy them as much as we have in designing them.

We at Cackleberry Kids have fallen in love with the stunning collection from Three Little Trees and believe that the story behind the label is just as important as the clothing. Teaching our children better ways to look after the planet and working with them is so very important and something that is also close to our hearts.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

We are so pleased with the positive feedback received from our Opening and the Workshops that we thought we would share some of the comments we received with you:

"It was a great colour and style workshop last week, thanks to all involved! Your shop has a great range of designer kid's clothes and is well set up too, I'll tell people about it.At the Canberra Centre, armed with all the tips learnt, I found a new bra at Lin and Barrett. Target was having a sale, and I found a charcoal grey coat there that's a perfect neutral background (and not black!) for showing off my felted scarves and wraps. I spent the next day with my mother, and found her a warm brown knee-length wool coat and picked out a great brown/ white/ black reversible scarf to go with it -- she looks fantastic and is very happy with it.So thanks again for a fun workshop." Anne

"Thanks for putting on a fantastic evening Kylie.I honestly had a ball and loved listening to all the presentations.I couldn't help but sit there and think about how I really need a makeover!I spend all this time looking after my clients and let myself go! Well, not too bad I hope but you know what I mean. We don't stop and spend much time on ourselves.It was so much fun. Congratulations again. Your clothes and your business concept is fantastic."

Sharon

"I loved it. The store was way more awesome than I had imagined. Looks great and when people come to see you they will see what Cackleberry Kids & Friends have to offer. It’s great!Last nights get together was a great too. I enjoyed it. Was glad to see that I was on the right track in regards to the right colours for me too...You have done great, and are definitely on your way to World Domination Congrats! Thanks for having me"

Crystal

Such a lovely moment shared with wonderful people - thank you again to everyone!